SVIETAS 03 // SPAM

In this episode, we invite listeners to discover a wonderful example of improvisational and experimental music education, encouraging students to try out practices such as collective improvisation, sound art performed by nonmusical objects, meditations inspired by deep listening, sound walks, field recordings, graphic and text scores etc.

Meet this wonderful collective “Spam” from the Music Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The word SPAM is a Greek acronym for experimental and improvisational music ensembles. This project was founded and is directed by Danae Stefanou, Associate Professor at the School of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

So what is it? At first glance, SPAM could be defined as a group of musicology and composition students gathered to improvise on objects and reflect on their inner experiences and the relation of these experiences to abstract, socio-political, or philosophical issues. However, no matter how far the thoughts of SPAM members go, all these discussions stem from their sonic explorations or, in other words, their soundscape.

Let’s listen to a recording of improvisation by SPAM members, an interview with the whole collective, and some releases.

Sincere thanks to all who participated in the session:

Konstantinos Adra

Dimitris Chatzinikolakis

Stavrini Constantinou

Cassandra Dallou

Dimitris Georgakainas

Lampros Foukas

Lydia Ioannou

Anna Karamanoli

Efthalia (Eftha) Lazaridou

Thomas Lazarou

Christos Papadopoulos

Maria Plagera

Danae Stefanou

Panagiota Theocharidou

Anastasia Vaxevanou

Artemis Xanthou

Aggeliki Zoi